Mansur Al-Hallaj Biography - A Short Introduction

Mansur Al-Hallaj was a legendary Iranian Sufi Master who lived between 858 -- 922 A.D. Mansur al-Hallaj was born in Madina al-Bayda, a little village in the ancient province of Fars,
in southern Persia, in the year 224 A.H./ 858 C.E. Mansur al-Hallaj is the
Persian mystic, poet, writer and teacher of Sufism. Al-Hallaj was most famous
for his poetry and for his execution for heresy at the hands of the Abbasid
rulers.

As a youngster
Al Hallaj memorized the Quran and would often retreat from worldly pursuits to
join other mystics in study. He devoted his life to the contemplation of the
divine and became a great Sufi mystic poet.

Later in life
Al-Hallaj married and made a pilgrimage to Mecca. After his trip to the Holy City,
he traveled extensively. During this period he started to write and teach Sufi
ideas to a growing number of followers. After a period of travelling in India
and other parts of Central Asia he settled down in the Abbasid capital of
Baghdad.

Al-Hallaj was one of
the earliest Sufi masters, he lead his life as a dervish wanderer. Al-Hallaj
devoted his life to contemplation of the divine and during his spiritual
practices would often go into a trance. Absorbed in these high states of
spiritual consciousness he felt completely at one with all of creation, and
with God.

Mansur Al-Hallaj Books:

Mansur Al-Hallaj wrote many works in both prose and poetry. His best known written book is the Kitab al-Tawasin (كتاب الطواسين), This book of Mansur Al-Hallaj includes two brief chapters dialogue of Satan (iblis) and God, where Satan refuses to bow to Adam, although God asks him to do so. His refusal is due to a misconceived idea of God's uniqueness and because of his refusal to abandon himself to God in love. Hallaj criticizes the staleness of his adoration (Mason, 51-3). Al-Hallaj stated in this book.

Because of his direct
experiences of contemplating the oneness of creation; he once said “Ana
al-haqq” (“I am the Truth”–i.e., “GOD”). At the time, this was considered to be
highly blasphemous; people could not understand the perspective of this mystic.
Unfortunately because of this Al-Hallaj was persecuted and found guilty of
heresy.

After spending 11
years in prison Al-Hallaq was tortured and crucified by the Abbasid rulers.
There are many accounts which say that even under torture Al Hallaj was calm,
detached and was willing to forgive those who tortured him.